Cognitive behavioral therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders in women and girls living with female genital mutilation: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is associated with psychological consequences such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD), depression, and anxiety disor-ders. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), an empirically supported form of psychotherapy, may be an effective treatment for these psychological sequelae of FGM. Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of CBT among individuals living with any type of FGM and diagnosed to have PTSD, depression, or anxiety disorders. Search strategies: CENTRAL, Medline, African Index Medicus, SCOPUS, PILOTS, POPLINE, PsycINFO, WHOLIS, LILACS, ERIC, NYAM Library, CINAHL, Web of Science were searched from inception up to August 10, 2015. Selection criteria: Both randomized and nonrandomized studies comparing the effi-cacy of CBT to other forms of interventions for PTSD, depression, or anxiety disorders in individuals with FGM, were systematically reviewed. Data collection and analysis: We did not identify any studies with eligible design that addressed the objective of the review. Main results: There are no included studies. Conclusion: Future studies need to look beyond establishing the prevalence and cor-relates of FGM to conducting well-designed, randomized controlled studies or well-designed interventional observational studies for the management of the psychological consequences of women and girls living with FGM. PROSPERO registration: CRD42015024458.